Walmart showcases minority-owned suppliers

Walmart is to promote its minority owned suppliers through an online showcase.

The Supplier Inclusion Showcase, part of the retailer’s website, highlights suppliers that are majority owned by minority ethnic groups, women, veterans, members of the LGBT community or people with disabilities.

The showcase was launched at the Essence Festival in New Orleans, where Walmart is a sponsor, and involved suppliers from across product ranges including food, eyewear and toys.

The retailer said it would update the showcase “periodically” at “key moments in the future”.

Michael Byron, senior director for supplier diversity and inclusion, said: “Our customers represent all of America, and we want to make sure our suppliers do too. Supplier inclusion means that we’re able to deliver innovative, quality products and a broader selection to the communities we serve.”

Walmart said it has a network of more than 2,600 diverse suppliers – which it defines as a private company that is at least 51% owned and operated by members of a minority group – that supply hundreds of thousands of products.